ᐅ Are there any tips for disassembling Malm furniture?

Hello everyone,

I hope there are some experienced IKEA Malm fans here who can help me: I’m planning to disassemble several Malm furniture pieces soon, especially dressers and nightstands, because I’m moving. Do you have any tips or proven methods on how to do this without damaging the furniture or screws?

In particular, I’m interested in whether there are specific tools or techniques that make disassembly easier, and how best to organize the parts for safe transport.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Usually, a Phillips screwdriver and a hex key are sufficient. When removing screws, it’s best to place them in small bags and label them. Disassemble gently to avoid splintering the wooden parts.

Hey, a little tip from me: after removing each part, lay the manual next to it right away, like a "roadmap" for later. This saves headaches when reassembling – and hey, a bit of organization also makes taking things apart much more relaxed 😉.

Thanks in advance for the answers! I’m also curious: Are there any special joints or screws in the Malm dressers that need to be handled with extra care? I want to avoid the connection holes becoming loose or the dowels breaking.

I can completely understand how important this is to you, because I also damaged some parts the first time... With the Malm cabinets, the wooden dowels and biscuits are often fragile, especially if you use too much force or the wrong tools. It's best to be gentle and double-check carefully before fully loosening any screws.

If it gets too difficult, take a short break – stress only creates unnecessary pressure.

As an additional note: When working with Malm furniture, it is important to unscrew the screws without applying excessive torque to avoid damaging the threads. A cordless drill on low speed can help, but only if the torque setting is properly adjusted.

It is also advisable to store the screws in small, clearly labeled containers or bags—such as "left side panel" or "bottom drawer." This way, you won’t lose track of them later.